Creamed Tomato Bisque

1/4 pound butter
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 (1 pound 12 ounce) cans whole
    tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 bay leaf
4 cups chicken broth
1 pint whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Saut? celery, onions and carrots until tender. Stir in flour. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add tomatoes, sugar, basil, marjoram, bay leaf and chicken broth. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Discard bay leaf. Pur?e 1/3 of the mixture at a time in the blender. Add cream, paprika, curry powder and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to blend.

Serve hot or cold.

Makes 8 servings.